The Vision
Our vision is to enable guests, for whom Kashrut and Shabbat are non-negotiable, to have the best of all worlds. We offer:
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the most luxurious accommodations that will work with our “special dietary needs”
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fine dining elegant, tasting local dishes as well as “old favourites” so as to have the culinary experience which every traveler enjoys
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a touring program which is varied to include iconic must-sees, fun activities and Jewish interest if any
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a timetable designed to enable full nights of sleep, as few hotel changes as possible and transport solutions that leave you refreshed
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English speaking tour guides, an experienced tour management team to look after you and even anticipate your every need
Naomi
In March 1987, with husband Eric and three small children in tow, she made Aliya and the young family came HOME to Israel. Our shared childhood dream of living in Israel was fostered by family values and active membership of B’nei Akiva, Manchester, UK. As teenagers, students and eventually as a young couple, the dream was strengthened by the Six Day War, Entebbe, the Yom Kippur War and a visit to Refuseniks in the USSR. Coming home became a matter of “when”, not “if”.
Almost on arrival in Israel, Naomi began to develop a business based on her experience in the Catering and Hospitality industry – and Naomi Catering was born. In those days, the offering of elegantly presented “cordon-bleu” style food was a real novelty.
Boutique
“Big is beautiful – but smaller is better” was always the motto. With the best will in the world, it is well-nigh impossible to reach the same levels of quality and service when looking after the needs of 500 people as one can when looking after 50 people. Still today, both Naomi Catering and Naomi Tours are known to focus on “Boutique” events and travel experiences.
Kosher
In both areas of activity as in our private lives, we take Kashrut and Shabbat very seriously. Naomi Catering is under the Mehuderet Supervision of the Jerusalem Rabbinate; Naomi Tours invariably employs the services of a Rav Machshir and a full-time Mashgiach to be on every tour, either from Israel, from the country we are visiting, or from another nearby community.
Tours
For over 45 years travel has been in our family DNA.
We always wanted to show our children, and later their children too, בלי עין הרע, that for the first time ever, a Jew can travel anywhere in the world, head held high, do a thousand acts of Kiddush Hashem, eat like royalty and in general enjoy experiences equivalent to, and some would say better than, those enjoyed by a non-kosher traveler visiting that same destination.
In 2006 we were approached by a charity to run a tour to Tuscany. With this tour we started a whole new life combining our passions: Luxury Travel with delicious local cuisine, prepared according to our dietary needs and served on china with accompanying fine wines.
Since then, we have had the privilege of accompanying guests, in groups of all sizes. We welcomed a couple who needed a break from everything to a mega-family group of over 100, celebrating the significant birthday of the family matriarch. Most of our tours are designed for anyone wishing to join.
FAQ
Applicable to all tours unless as otherwise indicated Wining and Dining Our signature combination - local gourmet cuisine prepared by local chefs under the scrutiny of a Mashgiach. The hotels propose menus which we discuss and finally approve. These are designed to give our guests the culinary experiences that are as close as possible to those enjoyed by non-kosher guests. Given that the hotels we stay at are usually in the best categories, the executive chefs too tend to be superb. Fine kosher wines, local if possible, are served at Dinner…. without limit. Special Diets and Preferences As indicated, we leave the menus largely to the chefs. Most dinners are served fixed menus, most lunches are a “buffet on the move”. Fish is often the main protein at lunch and a starter at dinner. Therefore, please let us know if you have allergies, special dietary needs (beyond the kosher of course) or simply don’t like certain foods so that we can take care of you as best possible. Kashrut and Shabbat A Rav Machshir is appointed for every destination to:- a) set the standards of Kashrut to be applied b) approve ingredients and kitchen arrangements c) appoint Mashgichim to be on site at each place where food is cooked (although not necessarily where eaten) d) ensure strict Shabbat observance in the kitchen The Rav Machshir is typically the Mara d’Atra in the place visited who knows what local products are permissible and can speak to the chefs in their own language. All meat is "Glatt" or “Halak Bet Yossef”, either local or brought from Israel. All milk and milk products are “Chalav Stam” with the approval of the Rav Machshir. Chalav Yisrael is sometimes available, if requested in advance. Tefillot On most tours there are enough men to make Minyanim. Tefillot are held 3 times per day and a Sefer Torah accompanies every tour where a Minyan is guaranteed. If you are a Ba’al Koreh (or professional Gabbai) please come forward. Chazanim are welcome too (within reason!!) Dress Code There is no dress code for any day of the week, and we encourage a relaxed atmosphere. No need ever to “dress up”, even on Shabbat, casual goes. Feel at home – we often don’t even make time to change for dinner (unless the day was particularly strenuous) as we want to use every minute of the day to the maximum. Packing We will send you more info shortly before each trip but the general rule is “less is more”!! Prices The advertised price is always per person, sharing a room. There are supplements for single use of a room and for upgrades. not included in the price of your trip • flights to the meeting point and from the departure point • internal flights (unless otherwise stated) • spending money: plenty to choose from, although we don’t program much time for shopping. However you can always go off on your own and meet us later!! • insurance: all clients should be aware that while all efforts are made to avoid any problems before during or after your trip, Naomi carries no insurance for your health or luggage. While using the services only of registered suppliers, we recommend that you purchase fully comprehensive travel insurance, to include cancellation, as Naomi cannot be held liable for any mishaps during your stay.
